New Here

Hi everyone, I just joined up today. Am working on reading through posts, but wanted to post and get involved in the community.

I am 44 yrs old, I was originally diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer actually, but the docs say it's rare but basically the same as ovarian, and that is how they are treating me. I was diagnosed 3c in april of 2008, had a total hysterectomy w/debulking, then 6 rounds of carbo/taxil treatments. I was in remission until probably march this year, although at first when they suspected a possible recurrence but they weren't sure, so they let it slide until may In June I had a 2nd surgery to remove a tumor that was growing outside my bladder. Again started on the carbo/taxil treatments, at first they seemed to be working but halfway thru a cat scan showed the damned tumor is growing in spite of the chemo.

My doc took me off treatment 3 weeks ago, and I just got back from a trip to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa (I live in Florida). They suggested a clinical trial of a drug called AMG 386 along w/doxil treatments. I am waiting for them to call me with an appointment for the physical screening.

The Dr seemed pretty passionate about his work and optimistic of the possibilities, my hubby and I agreed I have to go for it, but I am scared to death. The hospital is 3.5 hours from my home one way, so I will have at least one week a month when I have so many blood draws for the research that I will have to live there for a week. My husband has to keep working of course, so I am going to have to manage that drive back and forth on my own I have been so extremely fatigued by the carbo/taxil treatments, I just don't know how I am gonna cope out there in tampa on my own, although I have been told the doxil shouldn't be as fatiguing, and the study drug doesn't seem to be as bad either. Plus I am just not a patient person, sitting around waiting for them to call me with an appointment is frustrating, although I understand they can't do it until at least next week due to what they call a 'wash out' of my old chemo treatment, I still would like to know. I have to enter the trial within so many days of the screening (assuming I pass it) and with the holidays around the corner I would like to get on with some planning. Not to mention I hate sitting here while the cancer grows and not be taking anything to combat it.

I have a 14 year old daughter, and I really thought God would give me enough time to get her graduated from high school but now after reading all the grim statistics for the first time (I have refused up until now to see 'how long' I supposedly have to live) I am not at all sure. I just need 5 more years. I was happy to see a few posts about some folks known to have survived 10 years or so, but that seems to be an anomaly, doesn't it? I just keep telling myself I have to make it till tomorrow, because they might find a cure.

Well anyways, thanks for letting me vent.

Sheryl